x2 that .get him on the podcast, oh boy oboy it will be epic. p.s i wish we could comment on jamies blog with just a name too.it needs some sort of account
You and Jamie are both smart dudes. I assume you've both got plenty of stories about people assuming you were dumb because you're swole. Any good ones to share?
Paul I'm about to be moving to Missouri from Fort Bragg NC. I was wondering how hot does it get during the summer? (its 101 here right now) God Bless, Robert
I was born and raised in Mo and this triple digit heat is not typical. "Normal" summers aren't that great either, 95+ degrees and 80+% humidity is typical. But yeah, right now they are blanketed in 100+ temps and have been for a few weeks now. Good luck
Recently, a lot of respectable coaches and trainers have been talking about explosive lifting for building muscle. What do you guys think and what are your thoughts on the following article by Glenn Pendlay? http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/too_much_muscle_the_glenn_pendlay_secret
Fuck Zombie questions, here's a real manly question.
You're stranded in a spaceship and there a shitload of aliens ( from the alien movies ) hunting you down. A) Which one is your weapon of choice B) What's the fashion which will you go down ( because nobody can survive motherfucking aliens ) C) How and in which position would you bang the young Sigourney Weaver ?
From personal experience how important is the time of day you workout? For me usually but not always, lower body lifts don't feel the best too early in the day, but upper body I'm good almost anytime of day.
Dear Andy, Jamie has said on at least one occasion that he prefers not to do near-maximal weight lower body lifts (such as squats) too early in the day due to the fact that his spinal column (yours also, more than likely) is not yet lubricated with bodily fluids and that, "...your discs could be drier than Paris Hilton's faux vagina (Lewis, Jaime. 11 June, 2010. ChAoS & PAIN. "Ask the Asshole #7: Bring the Motherfucking Ruckus". http://www.chaosandpain.blogspot.com)".
This may be the reason you aren't feeling too great with your lower body lifts early in the day. If you want to do a squat workout, it would be best to wait until the afternoon, but if you are in a bind and must do so in the morning I would suggest finding a good friend to bend you over and butt-sex you for $1000-$1500 before your first warm-up set. There is a unique property in the male anus that allows incoming fluids to be redirected into the spinal column. Seminal fluid is praised for its lubrication qualities in the male body, as are sulfur impurities in many fuels. "Hot Jizz" could be exactly what you're missing in your early morning squat workouts.
To verify this information please read "Ask the Asshole #7: Bring the Motherfucking Ruckus" on Jaime's ChAoS&PAIN blog.
Apologies for stepping out of my boundaries and attempting to answer this question, as I'm sure Paul might have an entirely different answer; however, I believe Jamie would endorse this answer. I love Jamie by the way.
I would like to say thank you to Paul Carter for helping me fix a problem I have had with dead lifts since I started 5/3/1 The problem came from the book starting strength by Rippetoe. I used his stance as outlined in the book and when I started to use heavier weights for reps, I started to wreck my back. I had been using a stance that put the bar more forward of the foot. For whatever reason I am able to get my hips down more when the bar is more towards the front of the foot as opposed to the center of the foot.
Any comments that would help a novice lifter (2years) get his ass down more when doing dead lifts for reps would be helpful.
So far what you suggested in your YouTube vid was how I was going about the dead lift with no coaching.
I did not listen to last weeks podcast and a buddy said it was rather disturbing.....lol
Just a quick observation that you might want to touch on this week. I feel about the same as you guys do about this Chestbrah idiot, but I feel like it's a little hypocritical of you to say that one person's past actions don't matter and his training advice isn't affected by his lifestyle (Jamie) and to denigrate someone else's actions and act like you should avoid doing anything he does for the same reason(Chestbrah). I happen to agree with you that what people do in their personal life means jack shit when comes to lifting. All that matters is whether their training works.
So what about those of us who are already into the middle of our lives and are just getting started and in all likelihood have no chance to look like you and Jamie? Some of us out here aren't doing this to reach a competitive strength for a sport. Some of us are just tired of being fat and weak and want to get stronger and look good. You and Jamie are both enormous dudes and you look strong as shit. But you've been doing this for 20 years. I haven't. I would personally be happy to have a body like Chestbrah's. Yes, he's an idiot and certainly no role model, but does that invalidate his training if your goal is to look like a body model and not a powerlifter?
Just some food for thought. Keep up the good work. This Lifer series looks to be amazing.
I think my rant about that, which is my usual one, is the role idols or people that our young men of today are identifying with. It disturbs me. Picking males that are emasculated, uneducated, not strong in body or spirit.
I have no problem with the physique these guys sport, honestly. I think my message was lost in that. It's how these "men" carry themselves. How they talk, what they value (or don't), and what message they bring (being a self absorbed douche bag?).
Men need to learn to aspire to be the pinnacle of what they can be, and I can in no way believe that's the best of what an man can aspire to be.
I'm sure we'll go over this as it's a sore spot of mine, but thank you for the sincere question.
Paul, you can grab this here or on the podcast, but I'm wondering how to go about finding decent Krav instruction. Is there a reliable accreditation/association I should look for? I've taken MA before but would like to start Krav (or a program with a similar feel), but I'm wary of ending up in a class with a bunch of soccer moms looking for exercise, if you know what I mean. Seems like there's a lot of bullshit instructors out there.
Soo to preface I am low 500lb deadlifter. But at my meet I failed a 525 deadlift because my supinated (left hand turned under, right hand over, if that makes sense) just SHIT the bed on me with the bar at my knee (i dont miss deadlifts if I can get them to my knee). So in order ot remedy this issue what would you guys recommend? Some clues into my deadlifting programming I do SLDL for 3-5 sets of 3-6 reps earlier in the week after squatting for volume. Then on tuesdays (my heavy day) I use 531 for my squat and then 531 for my dead. Will repping out deadlifts like a motherfucker fix this? or am I fucked because of my small gator hands?
Deadlifts with a two second pause at the knee work very well for my low end strength. I didn't understand this until I did them and it's like my body is fighting to keep the bar in the absolute correct positioning and the bar usually inches up my shin until I hit the bottom of the knee, pause there then explode up to lockout
hey paul im thinkin of alternating bench one week and incline or type of press the next week like heavy triple or single press and backoff incline and then bench next week, i remember u mentioned in a previous post of alternating your bench and incline weekly for presses how has this worked for you overall? i wanted to know if this was optimal for increasing both my chest and shoulder strength?
how did you and jamie get into your jobs? I just graduated from school(im from germany its something between highschool and college) and have no clue what to do now. There are things that interest me but i cant say that i want to do that the rest of my life. Any tips?
Well this is interesting, there was a thread on yours and Jamie's blogs a few days ago on tnation. Nothing too interesting just some people commenting how they read your blogs and what not. Today I tried to find that thread and it turns out to be deleted (but still dead links in search), I can guess who might have done that.
You guys said you would have a rant about tnation a while back but never got to it... Would really love to hear that. Its seems that for every good article they post they post 30 more article that parrot the same thing the last guy said.
How about a discussion of the "Gym Lifts don't count." mentality? I know you've said something to this effect, whereas Jamie seems to like doing random impressive shit in the gym. One big problem I have with this mentality is that it seems to devalue any lift that isn't part of a competitive sport. Does having a good strict military press not matter except as an assistance lift for the bench press, since it's not an event in any major strength competition? Thanks, I enjoy listening to your podcast.
If you could take a pill that would cut your strength in half but double your genetic ceiling, would you take it? That is, if you were at your genetic limit with an 1800 total, the pill would knock you down to a 900 total, but you'd be able to work back up to 3600 over time.
Paul, do you see all these good questions? This leaves you NO FUCKING EXCUSE to go fumbling around like a 7th grader trying to figure out how to unhook a bra strap like you normally do. "Now, I had a good question but I can't find it." You can answer new than 2 questions per podcast you know. Try answering these without insuling your fan base and you'll save time.
Fucking stop talking about zombies, aliens and dumb shit. Stop REPEATING YOURSELF and answer these. We shouldn't have to sift through your witticisms and you trying to be funny to get your training thoughts and advice. Last week you were your own biggest fan, trumpeting how you live your life and don't care how others do, and how Jamie would agree, and blah bliggity blah....we got it the first time. Fucking talk lifting. No Yankee Stadium, no retarded hypotheticals.
No reason to have to sift through you and Jamie loving each other to get one or two nuggets of actual lifting talk.
Listen butt nugget, first off, I've unhooked bra straps with ease more times than your dad has braided a head of hair in prison.
Second, it's our Podcast. We talk about lifting plenty.....and sometimes not at all. I'm not going to talk about training for hours on end, and neither is Jamie. You know why? Because we both write about it on our blogs WEEKLY, in case you hadn't noticed.
So if you don't like our podcast topics, feel free to not listen. I do enjoy a good baby fit though, so my guess is we will probably keep talking about zombies and bullets to the chest and the beetus for a very long time, and you will still need baby powder.
This is obviously your first time on the Internet or ever listening to a podcast. You do realize that all the zombie, alien, rusty trombone questions are sent in by the readers right? Go rant on their ass. Hell, Paul and Jaime have no obligation to you to give you workout advice, they do this because they want to. How about be grateful for the knowledge they do drop?
So: how many 5 year olds do you think it would take to kill you? Assume nobody has any weapons and the 5 year olds will fight until incapacitated (dead, paralyzed, all limbs broken, etc.); and that you are dropped into the room with however many there are. So they don't flow in 1 by 1 or whatever, it's just a room with say 100 murderous 5 year olds in it. Assume a normal distribution of height, weight, and fighting skill amongst the toddlers.
Mr Bigmuscles you need to think about killing yourself. What a stupid question.
Paul, take some criticism and instead of accusing everyone else of getting butthurt, YOU stop getting butthurt.
2 hours of Paul repeating himself and reminding us about his "code"....ZZZZZZZZZZ. This blog, when fueled by the fuckfaces who read it, is just like every other Internet lifting blog.
Can you guys talk a little about homemade/DIY equipment (example: drag sleds, wrist rollers, etc) and what you guys have made to avoid paying some company too much money?
I made a Bulgarian Sand Bag out of a tire last year and love the fuck out of that little bitch.
I've always been a skinny guy. It's been 3 years since I started training, but I could only get consistency 4 months ago.
For these past 4 months I'm eating a caloric surplus, my weight is going up (around 1 lb per week) and I'm starting to get fat. I was planning on running a Strong-15 cycle starting next week, but 9 weeks will be too much. I'll get too fat.
So I took the short cycle and added a new week, before the first one. For the main lift my top single is going to be 78% of 1RM (the other 5 weeks remain the same).
For the backoff sets, I used 55% for the first week (the rest remains the same) for the squat and bench. For the DL I just slowed down the progression.
In 6 weeks my weight is gonna be 175lbs, and that feels just about right to start the cutting. What do you think? Thoughts?
Do your families or significant others listen to the podcasts/read your blogs, and does that affect the way you write them at all? Has your writing changed at all due to the size of the following you guys have gathered?
Hey Paul, love the work you and Jamie are doing on this podcast, dropping all sorts of knowledge on us noobs. One question for you guys, What is the hardest workout you have ever done and why did you do it? aka something so bad you would rather give a homeless diabetic a rusty trombone then repeat it.
When you tweaked the strong-15 dead cycle in SLL was that because of feedback from guys or your own experience? Curious to see the process behind programs evolving
I am a fellow lifer, love your blog and the podcast. I have been lifting on and off since I was 14, now 29 just got serious and off the Men's Health bullshit routines and re-inventions of what my football coach had me doing in HS about 1 year ago. The question, my upperbody is way behind my lower. How do I bring this to a balance? DL 450, BSquat 360, FSquat 280, Bench 215, Press 140
Go to lower body once a week, then pushing and pulling twice a week. So bench, dip, chin, row one day then incline, shoulder press, pulldown, shrug the next.
Because there is so much unnecessary information on the internet and it's easy to make everything way more complicated than it is:
Question: What is the way to set the back for lifting? Is it simply squeezing/pushing the chest up or is there more to it? Sorry if it's a very repeated question but I can't seem to get a simple and concise answer elsewhere.
Paul, my piriformis are tight and shot, so my low back is hurting like hell. Should I stop squatting and deadlifting for a while or just stretching is enough?
What do you guys think about bitchy "die-hard naturals" who will go on and on about how everyone who uses steroids is a loser and how steroids is a cheat, but will go out of their way to acquire every legal "supplements" (from peptides to whatever pricey crap avaliable) they can get their hands on to get an advantage from everyone else ?
"For who would lose, though full of pain, this intellectual being? Those thoughts that wander through eternity, to perish rather, swallowed and lost, in the wide womb of uncreated night?"
I'm a ballet dancer, and I would like to know what advice you could give me for strength training. I ask because ballet dancers are generally ignorant of strength training, and recommend pilates as a cure all for any performance related issue. I've seen pilates recommended by dancers for dancers who "don't jump so well" on numerous occasions.
My stats right now are 6'2" 200lbs (perform at 190), 150 press, 315 squat, 460 deadlift. Outside of the basics, I've worked in some single leg work and plyos. So my question is, aside from "just get stronger" which I am currently working on, is there any training advice you would give a dancer, or any athlete who needs strength through a similarly long range of motion?
On a side note, my girlfriend is also a dancer, and everyone has marveled at how great a jumper she has become since she started strength training. Hearing the "I'm just not a natural jumper" excuse drives me insane.
There is literally no useful information on strength training for dancers. I have spent the last two years trying to figure out a program and would really appreciate some advice. I'm sorry you thought I was trolling, I was just hoping for some insight.
How do you and Jamie deal with cracking/popping/clicking in the knees? There's no pain associated with it, it's just very noticeable, some days more than others. Everything I've read is either saying it's fine if it doesn't hurt, it's imbalances, or whatever. Also, do your hips pop sometimes when standing up or something like that, it seems to happen after I get off the shitter somewhat often.
Thanks and props to you and Jamie for everything you've done in regards to the blogs and beyond. Your book's pretty fucking awesome.
i wanted to try a meet in a year from now- should i pause my bench even if the meet is so far away? i have paused my benches for a last half a year, recently i stopped and im much stronger... so i can get more overload for muscles cos i use heavier weight, am i thinking right? should i for some time keep on benching normal and few months out swith to paused bench ? or i though as i do CGBP after normal bench (531 for now, i will buy your book as fast as my chief pays) i could pause it for practice and well it's harder for my triceps..
Paul, Even with all the ridiculous nonsense surrounding him, Jamie took the time to answer an email and help me with my bench. I'm vertically challenged like him and have a hard time getting my feet planted when I bench. Just wanted to thank him for taking the time to help someone amidst all the BS. Also, could you take a minute and go over why you guy's don't use lifting gear (I mean bench shirts, briefs, suits etc, not sauce? Did you guy's ever use them in training? I'm clueless about it, I would get laughed out of a room if I ever tried to put a bench shirt on. Thanks
Quick question about Animal Pak ... Both you and Jamie take it, I was wondering if you took the recommended two packets a day or just stuck to one. Thanks a bunch. -Tyler.
You covered in in SLL (which I really appreciate it, btw), but my question is in regard with injuries to the lower back, specifically the piriformis. I recently re-injured the area while doing pause squats with 135 (yeah, I couldn't fucking believe it either). I dropped squats and dead out of my current program in favor of leg press and lunges, and I've added in some more ab work.
You said you've pulled the area multiple times in past, and I was wondering 1) How long did you wait until you starting squatting and pulling again and 2) how did you program the lifts initially when putting them back in your training?
Sorry for the two-part question. Can't wait for the next podcast if it's anything like the last one! haha
What are your opinions on recreational drug use as it pertains to training and making consistent progress? For instance the occasional joint, line, hit of mdma, etc...
Obviously this won't help your training, but I was wondering if whether like alcohol in moderation you can accept the trade-offs.
I imagine you and Jamie may have differing opinions on experimenting with/using these kinds of substances.
For Jamie on the podcast: How did Jamie get through an MBA program without punching out one of his professors? Professors can be pretty self-righteous and pretentious and Jamie seems to have a very low tolerance for that kind of stupidity.
I have been considering doing a powerlifting meet but not really sure my lifts are high enough to be anything but laughable. what would you consider the minimum needed for a 180lb male for a first meet?
Dude, no one there will care what your lifts are. They will all just be happy you are competing and that you care enough to be a part of the powerlifting community. It's a fringe sport, and powerlifters are some of the most supportive people you will ever meet in a "sport". Just do it.
Recently diagnosed with minor sciatica caused by a bulging/slightly herniated disc. Would you recommend chiropractic work or consulting a PT? Also thoughts on warm pants/lumbar support (kinda like the shit rehband, or any other company probably, offers) in order to provide minor compression and warmth in the area and aid the healing process?
Fortunately I have never dealt with bulging discs, so I can't really give you any advice on that part, however I would not work with a chiro for it. I'd go to a sports PT, someone who has dealt with that working with athletes. Start there.
Hey Paul, this question may have been asked before/covered before and I miseed it, sorry if that is the case.. I seem to remember Jamie at some point (my memory is terrible) said that some old school guys did Squat/Bench/Deadlift every workout, real simple stuff. Looks like it would prepare you perfectly for a meet, if your basically doing a meet every time you train.
It looks like something I'd love to try, looking around (very breifly looking) the net I can't find anything particuarly concrete, so I was wondering if you guys had any experience with such programmes, or knew any lifters who did such routines and had good results.
Additional shit; The podcasts, and both blogs are awesome. I'll be sure to buy your book soon. Jim Wendler on the podcast would be very cool. Whats wrong with your quad? Did you tear it or something? I've not been following you guys for long, years worth of posts to sift through..
how much sleep do you guys get on average? I know Paul has kids and Jamie seems to keep fairly busy doing... various things, so I imagine that you guys can't usually get a solid 8 hours.
You guys know that the thing about "K" being a pre-op transsexual is nothing but a made up rumor right ? It started right around the time K was trying to break the record in his class and the guy he was giving a run for his money started a shit-talking war with K. Things were said, about K, about K's wife, about how K was a meth addict and on and on and on, and eventually the transsexual story came up. Funny everyone believes this when the guy who "claimed" to know it didn't provide pics or any proof.
I know K and his wife for a long time, I trained with K in his garage for some time before I moved out of town, and he assured me he wasn't a tranny (the guy knocked up his wife first thing out of the army and had to work hard to go to college and provide for his son ever since, so I dunno when he had time to be a tranny). But you choose to believe what you choose to believe. If he was it wouldn't change anything.
To counter that, one of his very best friends confirmed it for me. And it doesn't change anything with me either. Again, I don't care what people do in their personal life.
Paul, In case you guys havent recorded the podcast yet, it would be nice to discuss about all the shit people are talking about Martin Berkhan´s deadlift video. Apparentely, people are amazed by the fact that a `trainer´ deadlifts with such and akward form. I personally dont give a shit about his form, but I was surprised by the fact that he can actually lift something. I mean, I always took him for the all show no go fitness model, but 600x4 at his BW is a respectable lift. What do you guys think?
Jim Wendler would be a cool guest. Just saying.
ReplyDelete+1 on Wendler being a guest. Make that shit happen Paul..seriously.
Deletex2 that .get him on the podcast, oh boy oboy it will be epic.
Deletep.s i wish we could comment on jamies blog with just a name too.it needs some sort of account
You and Jamie are both smart dudes. I assume you've both got plenty of stories about people assuming you were dumb because you're swole. Any good ones to share?
ReplyDeletePaul I'm about to be moving to Missouri from Fort Bragg NC. I was wondering how hot does it get during the summer? (its 101 here right now)
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Robert
It's 102 here today, so about the same dog.
DeleteDang, I was really hoping it would be cooler. Haha well I guess not.
DeleteI was born and raised in Mo and this triple digit heat is not typical. "Normal" summers aren't that great either, 95+ degrees and 80+% humidity is typical. But yeah, right now they are blanketed in 100+ temps and have been for a few weeks now. Good luck
DeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteRecently, a lot of respectable coaches and trainers have been talking about explosive lifting for building muscle.
What do you guys think and what are your thoughts on the following article by Glenn Pendlay?
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/too_much_muscle_the_glenn_pendlay_secret
Thanks a lot.
Hey Paul,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, you and Jamie have the best blogs on t'internet. Equal parts entertaining, motivational and informative, so a big thanks to both of you.
Now the question for you and Jamie.
Is there any point doing partial lifts, like partial squats and rack pulls etc before you have reached a certain base level of strength?
Say like 2x BW squat, 2.5x BW deadlift, BW strict press as a minimum.
Or can you use these partial lifts to get you to those strength standards above.
I'd like to try them but I kind of feel it wouldn't be worth doing until I am at least squatting 2xBW, DL'ing 2.5 BW etc.
What do you guys think?
Thanks
Col
ps. the podcast rules, funny shit
Fuck Zombie questions, here's a real manly question.
ReplyDeleteYou're stranded in a spaceship and there a shitload of aliens ( from the alien movies ) hunting you down. A) Which one is your weapon of choice B) What's the fashion which will you go down ( because nobody can survive motherfucking aliens ) C) How and in which position would you bang the young Sigourney Weaver ?
In addition to this question:
DeleteD) Same as question C), but with the current Sigourney Weaver.
Podcast question for both of you,
ReplyDeleteFrom personal experience how important is the time of day you workout? For me usually but not always, lower body lifts don't feel the best too early in the day, but upper body I'm good almost anytime of day.
-Andy
Dear Andy,
DeleteJamie has said on at least one occasion that he prefers not to do near-maximal weight lower body lifts (such as squats) too early in the day due to the fact that his spinal column (yours also, more than likely) is not yet lubricated with bodily fluids and that, "...your discs could be drier than Paris Hilton's faux vagina (Lewis, Jaime. 11 June, 2010. ChAoS & PAIN. "Ask the Asshole #7: Bring the Motherfucking Ruckus". http://www.chaosandpain.blogspot.com)".
This may be the reason you aren't feeling too great with your lower body lifts early in the day. If you want to do a squat workout, it would be best to wait until the afternoon, but if you are in a bind and must do so in the morning I would suggest finding a good friend to bend you over and butt-sex you for $1000-$1500 before your first warm-up set. There is a unique property in the male anus that allows incoming fluids to be redirected into the spinal column. Seminal fluid is praised for its lubrication qualities in the male body, as are sulfur impurities in many fuels. "Hot Jizz" could be exactly what you're missing in your early morning squat workouts.
To verify this information please read "Ask the Asshole #7: Bring the Motherfucking Ruckus" on Jaime's ChAoS&PAIN blog.
Apologies for stepping out of my boundaries and attempting to answer this question, as I'm sure Paul might have an entirely different answer; however, I believe Jamie would endorse this answer. I love Jamie by the way.
-Brian
I concur. From my extensive experience, the "Hot Jizz" lubrication technique is quite optimal for early morning squats
DeleteI would like to say thank you to Paul Carter for helping me fix a problem I have had with dead lifts since I started 5/3/1 The problem came from the book starting strength by Rippetoe. I used his stance as outlined in the book and when I started to use heavier weights for reps, I started to wreck my back. I had been using a stance that put the bar more forward of the foot. For whatever reason I am able to get my hips down more when the bar is more towards the front of the foot as opposed to the center of the foot.
ReplyDeleteAny comments that would help a novice lifter (2years) get his ass down more when doing dead lifts for reps would be helpful.
So far what you suggested in your YouTube vid was how I was going about the dead lift with no coaching.
I did not listen to last weeks podcast and a buddy said it was rather disturbing.....lol
Glad I could help homey.
DeleteAnd all of our podcasts are disturbing in some way, shape, or form. :)
Just a quick observation that you might want to touch on this week. I feel about the same as you guys do about this Chestbrah idiot, but I feel like it's a little hypocritical of you to say that one person's past actions don't matter and his training advice isn't affected by his lifestyle (Jamie) and to denigrate someone else's actions and act like you should avoid doing anything he does for the same reason(Chestbrah). I happen to agree with you that what people do in their personal life means jack shit when comes to lifting. All that matters is whether their training works.
ReplyDeleteSo what about those of us who are already into the middle of our lives and are just getting started and in all likelihood have no chance to look like you and Jamie? Some of us out here aren't doing this to reach a competitive strength for a sport. Some of us are just tired of being fat and weak and want to get stronger and look good. You and Jamie are both enormous dudes and you look strong as shit. But you've been doing this for 20 years. I haven't. I would personally be happy to have a body like Chestbrah's. Yes, he's an idiot and certainly no role model, but does that invalidate his training if your goal is to look like a body model and not a powerlifter?
Just some food for thought. Keep up the good work. This Lifer series looks to be amazing.
I think my rant about that, which is my usual one, is the role idols or people that our young men of today are identifying with. It disturbs me. Picking males that are emasculated, uneducated, not strong in body or spirit.
DeleteI have no problem with the physique these guys sport, honestly. I think my message was lost in that. It's how these "men" carry themselves. How they talk, what they value (or don't), and what message they bring (being a self absorbed douche bag?).
Men need to learn to aspire to be the pinnacle of what they can be, and I can in no way believe that's the best of what an man can aspire to be.
I'm sure we'll go over this as it's a sore spot of mine, but thank you for the sincere question.
You would probably agree with this essay by Jack Donovan: http://www.alternativeright.com/main/blogs/hbd-human-biodiversity/everyone-a-harlot/
DeleteThat was solid.
DeletePaul, you can grab this here or on the podcast, but I'm wondering how to go about finding decent Krav instruction. Is there a reliable accreditation/association I should look for? I've taken MA before but would like to start Krav (or a program with a similar feel), but I'm wary of ending up in a class with a bunch of soccer moms looking for exercise, if you know what I mean. Seems like there's a lot of bullshit instructors out there.
ReplyDeleteThanks man.
Contact my buddy Steve Woolridge at www.kravmagakc.com and tell him I sent you. He'll give you the VIP with whatever you need.
DeleteSoo to preface I am low 500lb deadlifter. But at my meet I failed a 525 deadlift because my supinated (left hand turned under, right hand over, if that makes sense) just SHIT the bed on me with the bar at my knee (i dont miss deadlifts if I can get them to my knee). So in order ot remedy this issue what would you guys recommend? Some clues into my deadlifting programming I do SLDL for 3-5 sets of 3-6 reps earlier in the week after squatting for volume. Then on tuesdays (my heavy day) I use 531 for my squat and then 531 for my dead. Will repping out deadlifts like a motherfucker fix this? or am I fucked because of my small gator hands?
ReplyDeleteDeadlifts with a two second pause at the knee work very well for my low end strength. I didn't understand this until I did them and it's like my body is fighting to keep the bar in the absolute correct positioning and the bar usually inches up my shin until I hit the bottom of the knee, pause there then explode up to lockout
Deletehey paul im thinkin of alternating bench one week and incline or type of press the next week like heavy triple or single press and backoff incline and then bench next week, i remember u mentioned in a previous post of alternating your bench and incline weekly for presses how has this worked for you overall? i wanted to know if this was optimal for increasing both my chest and shoulder strength?
ReplyDeletethanks - steve
If it wasn't I wouldn't do it. I get a lot of carryover from incline to bench though, and that's not the case with everyone.
DeleteKroc rows?
ReplyDeletehey,
ReplyDeletehow did you and jamie get into your jobs? I just graduated from school(im from germany its something between highschool and college) and have no clue what to do now. There are things that interest me but i cant say that i want to do that the rest of my life. Any tips?
Podcast:
ReplyDeleteWhat was the most impressive single display of strength you (and Jamie) have ever personally witnessed at a commercial gym?
Non lifting question...
ReplyDeleteWho are yours and Jamie's favourite stand up comedians and why?
Ive always thought stand up comedy is great, you can get away with speaking a lot of truth if you do it with humour.
Well this is interesting, there was a thread on yours and Jamie's blogs a few days ago on tnation. Nothing too interesting just some people commenting how they read your blogs and what not. Today I tried to find that thread and it turns out to be deleted (but still dead links in search), I can guess who might have done that.
ReplyDelete-Andy
You guys said you would have a rant about tnation a while back but never got to it... Would really love to hear that. Its seems that for every good article they post they post 30 more article that parrot the same thing the last guy said.
DeleteHow about a discussion of the "Gym Lifts don't count." mentality? I know you've said something to this effect, whereas Jamie seems to like doing random impressive shit in the gym. One big problem I have with this mentality is that it seems to devalue any lift that isn't part of a competitive sport. Does having a good strict military press not matter except as an assistance lift for the bench press, since it's not an event in any major strength competition? Thanks, I enjoy listening to your podcast.
ReplyDeletePodcast Question: How do you get treated by women in public now that your both yoked up. Any cool/funny stories?
ReplyDeleteDrewski
If you could take a pill that would cut your strength in half but double your genetic ceiling, would you take it? That is, if you were at your genetic limit with an 1800 total, the pill would knock you down to a 900 total, but you'd be able to work back up to 3600 over time.
ReplyDeletePaul, do you see all these good questions? This leaves you NO FUCKING EXCUSE to go fumbling around like a 7th grader trying to figure out how to unhook a bra strap like you normally do. "Now, I had a good question but I can't find it." You can answer new than 2 questions per podcast you know. Try answering these without insuling your fan base and you'll save time.
ReplyDeleteFucking stop talking about zombies, aliens and dumb shit. Stop REPEATING YOURSELF and answer these. We shouldn't have to sift through your witticisms and you trying to be funny to get your training thoughts and advice. Last week you were your own biggest fan, trumpeting how you live your life and don't care how others do, and how Jamie would agree, and blah bliggity blah....we got it the first time. Fucking talk lifting. No Yankee Stadium, no retarded hypotheticals.
No reason to have to sift through you and Jamie loving each other to get one or two nuggets of actual lifting talk.
Listen butt nugget, first off, I've unhooked bra straps with ease more times than your dad has braided a head of hair in prison.
DeleteSecond, it's our Podcast. We talk about lifting plenty.....and sometimes not at all. I'm not going to talk about training for hours on end, and neither is Jamie. You know why? Because we both write about it on our blogs WEEKLY, in case you hadn't noticed.
So if you don't like our podcast topics, feel free to not listen. I do enjoy a good baby fit though, so my guess is we will probably keep talking about zombies and bullets to the chest and the beetus for a very long time, and you will still need baby powder.
This is obviously your first time on the Internet or ever listening to a podcast. You do realize that all the zombie, alien, rusty trombone questions are sent in by the readers right? Go rant on their ass. Hell, Paul and Jaime have no obligation to you to give you workout advice, they do this because they want to. How about be grateful for the knowledge they do drop?
DeletePaul, I agree with this guy.
DeleteSo: how many 5 year olds do you think it would take to kill you? Assume nobody has any weapons and the 5 year olds will fight until incapacitated (dead, paralyzed, all limbs broken, etc.); and that you are dropped into the room with however many there are. So they don't flow in 1 by 1 or whatever, it's just a room with say 100 murderous 5 year olds in it. Assume a normal distribution of height, weight, and fighting skill amongst the toddlers.
What's the best way to train a zombie alien so he doesn't take a bullet to the chest and catch the beetus?
DeleteMr Bigmuscles you need to think about killing yourself. What a stupid question.
DeletePaul, take some criticism and instead of accusing everyone else of getting butthurt, YOU stop getting butthurt.
2 hours of Paul repeating himself and reminding us about his "code"....ZZZZZZZZZZ. This blog, when fueled by the fuckfaces who read it, is just like every other Internet lifting blog.
Says the anonymous faggatron.
DeleteYou seem like you got a big sammich of peanut butthurt and jelly.
Then why do you listen, and why do you read?
Maybe you should go back to licking windows and not worry about this whole thing.
I am using the "more times than your dad braided hair in prison" line - that's funny shit
DeleteCan you guys talk a little about homemade/DIY equipment (example: drag sleds, wrist rollers, etc) and what you guys have made to avoid
ReplyDeletepaying some company too much money?
I made a Bulgarian Sand Bag out of a tire last year and love the fuck out of that little bitch.
P.S.: Beetus!
Paul,
ReplyDeleteHow many swallows does it take each of you to get an animal pak down.
This is important and needs to be addressed.
(and yes, we're all betting Jamie can down it in one swallow)
That is some funny shit.
DeleteWhy do you hate pistol squats, and what the fuck is a pre-op transvestite?
ReplyDeletepre op means they on hormones but still got the gear they was born with fool
Deletehave you or jamie ever managed to pull a threesome (2 chicks, one dude)? if so, how?
ReplyDeleteWho wins and why?
ReplyDeleteClubber Lang (Rocky III) vs. Chong Li (Bolo Yeung/Bloodsport)
Jason Voorhees vs. Michael Myers
Rico's Roughnecks (Starship Troopers) vs. Storm Troopers
Tucker James vs Jamie Lewis
Hey Paul, I have a question for you.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a skinny guy. It's been 3 years since I started training, but I could only get consistency 4 months ago.
For these past 4 months I'm eating a caloric surplus, my weight is going up (around 1 lb per week) and I'm starting to get fat. I was planning on running a Strong-15 cycle starting next week, but 9 weeks will be too much. I'll get too fat.
So I took the short cycle and added a new week, before the first one. For the main lift my top single is going to be 78% of 1RM (the other 5 weeks remain the same).
For the backoff sets, I used 55% for the first week (the rest remains the same) for the squat and bench. For the DL I just slowed down the progression.
In 6 weeks my weight is gonna be 175lbs, and that feels just about right to start the cutting. What do you think? Thoughts?
(sorry for the long post)
If you're 15% or more, start cutting the food back. If you're not, keep going.......
DeleteI'm probably 13-14%, so I'll keep going.
DeleteDo your families or significant others listen to the podcasts/read your blogs, and does that affect the way you write them at all? Has your writing changed at all due to the size of the following you guys have gathered?
ReplyDeleteLots of awesome questions this week guys, keep em coming. If I don't get to all of em I will keep them in queue.
ReplyDeleteHey Paul, love the work you and Jamie are doing on this podcast, dropping all sorts of knowledge on us noobs. One question for you guys, What is the hardest workout you have ever done and why did you do it? aka something so bad you would rather give a homeless diabetic a rusty trombone then repeat it.
ReplyDeleteWhen you tweaked the strong-15 dead cycle in SLL was that because of feedback from guys or your own experience? Curious to see the process behind programs evolving
ReplyDeletePodcast
ReplyDeleteWhat bodypars do you think most women go for?
Chest?
Arms?
Traps?
Shoulders?
Wallet
DeletePenis
In that order
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOpyyrtzgBU&feature=relmfu
ReplyDeleteAre you guys reading anything good? I read the Monster Hunter International and they were fucking awesome
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteI am a fellow lifer, love your blog and the podcast. I have been lifting on and off since I was 14, now 29 just got serious and off the Men's Health bullshit routines and re-inventions of what my football coach had me doing in HS about 1 year ago. The question, my upperbody is way behind my lower. How do I bring this to a balance? DL 450, BSquat 360, FSquat 280, Bench 215, Press 140
Cheers
Maximus
Go to lower body once a week, then pushing and pulling twice a week. So bench, dip, chin, row one day then incline, shoulder press, pulldown, shrug the next.
DeleteBecause there is so much unnecessary information on the internet and it's easy to make everything way more complicated than it is:
ReplyDeleteQuestion: What is the way to set the back for lifting? Is it simply squeezing/pushing the chest up or is there more to it? Sorry if it's a very repeated question but I can't seem to get a simple and concise answer elsewhere.
Paul, my piriformis are tight and shot, so my low back is hurting like hell. Should I stop squatting and deadlifting for a while or just stretching is enough?
ReplyDeleteStretch it out everyday as much as possible until it subsides, then ease back into squats and pulls. Just stay on top of the stretching.
DeleteWhat do you guys think about bitchy "die-hard naturals" who will go on and on about how everyone who uses steroids is a loser and how steroids is a cheat, but will go out of their way to acquire every legal "supplements" (from peptides to whatever pricey crap avaliable) they can get their hands on to get an advantage from everyone else ?
ReplyDeleteCan you force Jamie to talk more about his personal life? LOL I find it funny of him being a bodycombat instructor or being married.
ReplyDelete"For who would lose, though full of pain, this intellectual being? Those thoughts that wander through eternity, to perish rather, swallowed and lost, in the wide womb of uncreated night?"
ReplyDeleteDiscuss.
I have a question for either here or the podcast.
ReplyDeleteI'm a ballet dancer, and I would like to know what advice you could give me for strength training. I ask because ballet dancers are generally ignorant of strength training, and recommend pilates as a cure all for any performance related issue. I've seen pilates recommended by dancers for dancers who "don't jump so well" on numerous occasions.
My stats right now are 6'2" 200lbs (perform at 190), 150 press, 315 squat, 460 deadlift. Outside of the basics, I've worked in some single leg work and plyos. So my question is, aside from "just get stronger" which I am currently working on, is there any training advice you would give a dancer, or any athlete who needs strength through a similarly long range of motion?
On a side note, my girlfriend is also a dancer, and everyone has marveled at how great a jumper she has become since she started strength training. Hearing the "I'm just not a natural jumper" excuse drives me insane.
Learn how to troll harder.
DeleteThere is literally no useful information on strength training for dancers. I have spent the last two years trying to figure out a program and would really appreciate some advice. I'm sorry you thought I was trolling, I was just hoping for some insight.
DeleteHow do you and Jamie deal with cracking/popping/clicking in the knees? There's no pain associated with it, it's just very noticeable, some days more than others. Everything I've read is either saying it's fine if it doesn't hurt, it's imbalances, or whatever. Also, do your hips pop sometimes when standing up or something like that, it seems to happen after I get off the shitter somewhat often.
ReplyDeleteThanks and props to you and Jamie for everything you've done in regards to the blogs and beyond. Your book's pretty fucking awesome.
i wanted to try a meet in a year from now- should i pause my bench even if the meet is so far away? i have paused my benches for a last half a year, recently i stopped and im much stronger... so i can get more overload for muscles cos i use heavier weight, am i thinking right? should i for some time keep on benching normal and few months out swith to paused bench ? or i though as i do CGBP after normal bench (531 for now, i will buy your book as fast as my chief pays) i could pause it for practice and well it's harder for my triceps..
ReplyDeleteYou should always pause the first rep at least.
DeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteEven with all the ridiculous nonsense surrounding him, Jamie took the time to answer an email and help me with my bench. I'm vertically challenged like him and have a hard time getting my feet planted when I bench. Just wanted to thank him for taking the time to help someone amidst all the BS. Also, could you take a minute and go over why you guy's don't use lifting gear (I mean bench shirts, briefs, suits etc, not sauce? Did you guy's ever use them in training? I'm clueless about it, I would get laughed out of a room if I ever tried to put a bench shirt on.
Thanks
Quick question about Animal Pak ... Both you and Jamie take it, I was wondering if you took the recommended two packets a day or just stuck to one. Thanks a bunch. -Tyler.
ReplyDeleteHow would Paul or Jamie alter their training philosophy for someone who competes in the sport of Shirted Benching?
ReplyDeleteHey Paul,
ReplyDeleteYou covered in in SLL (which I really appreciate it, btw), but my question is in regard with injuries to the lower back, specifically the piriformis. I recently re-injured the area while doing pause squats with 135 (yeah, I couldn't fucking believe it either). I dropped squats and dead out of my current program in favor of leg press and lunges, and I've added in some more ab work.
You said you've pulled the area multiple times in past, and I was wondering 1) How long did you wait until you starting squatting and pulling again and 2) how did you program the lifts initially when putting them back in your training?
Sorry for the two-part question. Can't wait for the next podcast if it's anything like the last one! haha
I answered this question already in this very Q&A.
DeleteWhat are your opinions on recreational drug use as it pertains to training and making consistent progress? For instance the occasional joint, line, hit of mdma, etc...
ReplyDeleteObviously this won't help your training, but I was wondering if whether like alcohol in moderation you can accept the trade-offs.
I imagine you and Jamie may have differing opinions on experimenting with/using these kinds of substances.
CT
For Jamie on the podcast: How did Jamie get through an MBA program without punching out one of his professors? Professors can be pretty self-righteous and pretentious and Jamie seems to have a very low tolerance for that kind of stupidity.
ReplyDeleteD.
I have been considering doing a powerlifting meet but not really sure my lifts are high enough to be anything but laughable. what would you consider the minimum needed for a 180lb male for a first meet?
ReplyDeleteDude, no one there will care what your lifts are. They will all just be happy you are competing and that you care enough to be a part of the powerlifting community. It's a fringe sport, and powerlifters are some of the most supportive people you will ever meet in a "sport". Just do it.
DeleteRecently diagnosed with minor sciatica caused by a bulging/slightly herniated disc. Would you recommend chiropractic work or consulting a PT? Also thoughts on warm pants/lumbar support (kinda like the shit rehband, or any other company probably, offers) in order to provide minor compression and warmth in the area and aid the healing process?
ReplyDeleteFortunately I have never dealt with bulging discs, so I can't really give you any advice on that part, however I would not work with a chiro for it. I'd go to a sports PT, someone who has dealt with that working with athletes. Start there.
DeleteThanks Paul. Will do.
ReplyDeleteHey Paul, this question may have been asked before/covered before and I miseed it, sorry if that is the case.. I seem to remember Jamie at some point (my memory is terrible) said that some old school guys did Squat/Bench/Deadlift every workout, real simple stuff. Looks like it would prepare you perfectly for a meet, if your basically doing a meet every time you train.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like something I'd love to try, looking around (very breifly looking) the net I can't find anything particuarly concrete, so I was wondering if you guys had any experience with such programmes, or knew any lifters who did such routines and had good results.
Additional shit;
The podcasts, and both blogs are awesome. I'll be sure to buy your book soon.
Jim Wendler on the podcast would be very cool.
Whats wrong with your quad? Did you tear it or something? I've not been following you guys for long, years worth of posts to sift through..
The Korte program is exactly that. The big 3, three times a week.
DeleteQuad had a minor tear in it. It's getting better.
Thansk for the reply! Glad to hear your quad is getting better. Stay strong.
DeleteQ for the podcast-
ReplyDeletehow much sleep do you guys get on average? I know Paul has kids and Jamie seems to keep fairly busy doing... various things, so I imagine that you guys can't usually get a solid 8 hours.
You guys know that the thing about "K" being a pre-op transsexual is nothing but a made up rumor right ? It started right around the time K was trying to break the record in his class and the guy he was giving a run for his money started a shit-talking war with K. Things were said, about K, about K's wife, about how K was a meth addict and on and on and on, and eventually the transsexual story came up. Funny everyone believes this when the guy who "claimed" to know it didn't provide pics or any proof.
ReplyDeleteI know K and his wife for a long time, I trained with K in his garage for some time before I moved out of town, and he assured me he wasn't a tranny (the guy knocked up his wife first thing out of the army and had to work hard to go to college and provide for his son ever since, so I dunno when he had time to be a tranny). But you choose to believe what you choose to believe. If he was it wouldn't change anything.
To counter that, one of his very best friends confirmed it for me. And it doesn't change anything with me either. Again, I don't care what people do in their personal life.
DeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteIn case you guys havent recorded the podcast yet, it would be nice to discuss about all the shit people are talking about Martin Berkhan´s deadlift video.
Apparentely, people are amazed by the fact that a `trainer´ deadlifts with such and akward form.
I personally dont give a shit about his form, but I was surprised by the fact that he can actually lift something.
I mean, I always took him for the all show no go fitness model, but 600x4 at his BW is a respectable lift.
What do you guys think?
Kinda late but I gotta ask. Would you rather be a 280lb 7'0 battle hardned Viking or a 180lb 5'8 experienced Samurai ? Why ?
ReplyDelete